Field Fisher Waterhouse wins substantial payout for Potters Bar victim

PRLog (Press Release) – Law firm, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has managed to win a substantial payout in the High Court for top Taiwanese TV presenter, Tanya Liu, who was seriously injured in the Potters Bar rail crash.

Prior to the accident, Ms Liu worked as a news anchor for the Hong Kong based satellite TV station, Phoenix TV. The station, which is the only independent station to broadcast to mainland China, regularly has an audience of 140 million viewers. Ms Liu interviewed senior political figures and business leaders in China and abroad, including Bill Clinton and Bill Gates.

Following the accident in May 2002, Ms Liu, now 39-years-old, was in a coma for two months having suffered brain damage (http://www.ffw.com/Areas-Of-Expertise/Personal-Injury/Br ... ), spinal injury (http://www.ffw.com/Areas-Of-Expertise/Personal-Injury/Sp ... ) and internal injuries. In July 2002, she regained consciousness having been repatriated to Beijing. At the time her recovery was described as miraculous, after doctors had previously declared her injuries were so severe that she should be allowed to die.

Notwithstanding a remarkable recovery, Ms Liu has been left with intellectual, cognitive and physical difficulties. She is now cared for round-the-clock by professionals and her family in Hong Kong.

Mr Justice Irwin agreed an award against Jarvis Rail Ltd and Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd which he said was, “In my view a substantial sum and reflects the severity of this injury.”

Paul McNeil, a personal injury (http://www.ffw.com/Areas-Of-Expertise/Personal-Injury.aspx ) lawyer at Field Fisher Waterhouse (http://www.ffw.com/ ), acted for Ms Liu.

Paul McNeil said: “Tanya was the most seriously injured surviving victim of the Potters Bar rail crash. The case was extremely complex involving legal issues in the UK, China and Taiwan. The family is satisfied with the outcome of the case however no amount of money will compensate Tanya for the horrendous injuries she suffered, and the glittering career that was snatched from her.”

James Badenoch QC and Henry Witcomb of One Crown Office Row was counsel for Ms Liu.

Case number: HQ05X01220

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About Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a full-service European law firm with offices in Brussels, Hamburg and London. With 102 partners, over 200 other lawyers and nearly 300 support staff, we assist a wide range of international clients, advising across a full range of legal issues.

Our main areas of practice are corporate and commercial, IP and technology, banking and finance, regulatory and real estate. We also have particular expertise in competition & EU law, dispute resolution, employment, personal injury and clinical negligence, public sector and tax.

FFW PR contact:
Paul McNeil
Personal injury lawyer
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP
35 Vine Street
London
EC3N 2AA
United Kingdom
020 7861 4036
http://www.ffw.com/Areas-Of-Expertise/Personal-Injury.aspx